Shimano’s all-new CUES drop bar components has officially launched! It’s been designed to bring greater affordability, durability, and compatibility to road and gravel bikes, and we like this. We’ll break down everything we know so far.
Shimano states that the new drop bar shifters seamlessly integrate with the existing CUES ecosystem, offering both 1x and 2x options across 9-, 10-, and 11-speed setups. Ergonomics remain familiar, mirroring Shimano’s proven mechanical 105 design.
Shimano also says the new front derailleurs and cranksets provide gearing options suited for both road and gravel riding. Plus, the addition of flat-mount hydraulic disc brakes ensures powerful stopping performance with 160mm rotors.
Built around Shimano’s LINKGLIDE technology, CUES prioritizes longevity, with cassettes that Shimano states last up to three times longer than traditional Hyperglide setups—helping you save money on replacement parts over time.
With pricing aimed below current GRX and 105-equipped bikes, Shimano CUES could mean better value and longer-lasting performance for entry-level road and gravel riders.
Finding that rapidly spinning my legs in a relatively low gear for a few seconds after getting on the bike from a stop is a great way to get the blood flowing quickly before upshifting and really getting going. :blobfoxthinkgoogly:
Road clipless (three-bolt) interests me…until I realize I can get most of the benefits with two-bolt shoes that have carbon fiber foot beds. :blobfoxthinkgoogly:
At the moment, my #cycljng is mainly limited by my cardiovascular system and energy. All of that time sick from respiratory illness was not kind to my fitness. :blobfoxgooglycry:
While I was riding my main #bicycle on gravel a couple days ago, I was able to easily rescue a front wheel slide.
And when I was riding it yesterday up a fairly steep bit of sandy gravel (for the city), I was able to get past wheelslip and just pedal slowly and softly in a low gear to get up the hill.
For our anniversary run of Rene Herse bikes—and for the bikes we ride in long-distance events—we wanted a better solution: a reliable needle-bearing headset that is Rinko-compatible. This is another project that had a long gestation period: We made the first prototypes three years ago. We ran them in Unbound XL (twice), in Paris-Brest-Paris, Arkansas High Country Race, Dark Divide 300 and many other rides and adventures. Along the way, we fine-tuned many details, both aesthetic and functional. We decreased stack height, lowered weight, and increased clearances to make sure the headset works smoothly and quietly under the harshest conditions. We tested and re-tested, and now the headsets are ready.
Found these cute old sheds (still in use!) in Woodland Park while exploring a new route with the knobby-ish gravel tires on my Soma Stanyan. :blobfoxthumbsup: (1)
Definitely getting better with the color calibration tool in #Darktable. Having the flexibility to pick any hue for the illuminant is very nice! :blobfoxgoogly:
It took many years and many professional bike fits for their extremely valuable #bikeFit tips to finally sink in. :blobfox0_0:
It took me following a hunch over several months to get to the general area where my saddle and handlebars should be for their tips to finally make sense and complete the picture in my mind. (My saddle was way too low for a long time because my first bike fitter was trying to work with my horrible technique early on, which caused me to tear a quad in one leg. :blobfoxscared: )
If you ride, your brain knows how motorcycles work intuitively, but we bet you’ll struggle to explain it accurately. We’re trading opinions for science in a pursuit to understand how motorcycles really steer.
These dynamics also apply to #bicycle riding, obviously.